Projectile flare



Patented Sept. 23, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICE Claims Thisinvention relates to an improved type of projectile iiare, adaptedparticularly to maritime use.

It is well known that merchant ships, even when armed, are often atextreme disadvantage when attacked by a submarine at night because ofthe difiiculty of illuminating the submarine so as to afford a target tothe gun crew.

t is therefore a purpose of the present invention to provide means forprojecting a long-burning, floating flare a sufficient distance from aship to illuminate, or alternatively blind, an attacking submarinewithout illuminating the ship from which the flare is projected.

In accomplishing this purpose, I propose to utilize to the fullestextent equipment already in use upon all merchant ships, and for themanufacture of which there are accordingly facilities already availableand in operation.

The manner in which I propose to accomplish the purpose of the presentinvention may best be illustrated by reference to the accompanyingdrawing which discloses a prefered embodiment of my invention, and inwhich:

Figure 1 is a view partly in section showing a projectile iiare inaccordance with my invention seated in the muzzle of a gun or mortarready to be discharged.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a type of projectile proper used inaccordance with my invention; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a type of flare used in accordancewith my invention.

The projectile are in accordance with this invention includes, as shownin the drawing, a solid, cylindrical projectile proper I provided at oneend with a portion 3 of enlarged diameter forming a collar, having aserrated, or otherwise discontinuous, lower face 5. A socket 'I iscounterbored in the exact center of the same end.

A self-igniting, buoyant flare 9 of the conventional and well-knowncalcium carbide type approved by the Bureau of Marine Inspection andNavigation, is modified by the provision of a centrally positionednipple Il, preferably made of pipe, extending from its base; andpreferably by the provision of a conical nose I3, Two spots are markedupon the flare, at I5, to indicate where the shell of the iiare, whichmay be locally weakened at such points, is to be punctured just beforeuse, so as to admit the water required for ignition. The interiorconstruction of these iiares is well-known and need not be describedhere.

In using the projectile are in accordance with this invention theprojectile I is loaded into the muzzle of a small smooth bore gun, asfor example, a Lyle line throwing gun, a powder charge having iirst beeninserted, and will rest in the muzzle 2 of the gun with the shoulder 5formed by collar 3 resting on the lip of the barrel. The serrations inthe shoulder 5 will prevent an air seal being formed between theshoulder and muzzle which might cause the gun to explode if a heavycharge were used. The projectile, as is usual in Lyle guns, will have awindage of about 1in in the barrel, and should in accordance with myinvention have at least four times the weight of theilare 9. i

The flare 9 is placed upon the projectile I with the nipple II extendingwithin the socket 1, in which it is a slip fit, and with the base of theflare resting upon the end face of the projectile. Before the gun is redthe shell of the flare will be punctured by a spike or other suitabletool to permit the entry of water and discharge of the combustible gasformed.

When the gun is fired the projectile I and flare 9 will be projected asa unit for substantially lthe range of the gun, G-2000 feet, and willthen strike the water. Since the flare 9 is buoyant, it will separatefrom the projectile which will sink, and will, in usual fashion, igniteand give oi a brilliant flame for nearly 45 minutes.

If desired, in order to insure against premature separation of flare andprojectile, a ring of watersoluble adhesive as, for example, awater-soluble yglue may be interposed between the base of the flare 9and the end face of the projectile I.

If the submarine is sufliciently close to the vessel attacked, the flaremay be projected beyond the submarine, thus silhouetting it as a perfecttarget. Even if projected between the submarine and the vessel attacked,the submarine may be illuminated, or if not the glare will serve toscreen the vessel from accurate re by the submarine. In no event willthe flare be suciently close to the vessel from which it is projected toilluminate that lvessel, or to set fire to oil, etc. which may surroundthe vessel.

If a suitable socket be countersunk in the forward end of the flare 9, aplurality of flares may be fired with one projectile, the flares beingsecured in line with the nipple II of each in the socket of nextrearward dare, Only the most forward are would then require a conicalnose I3.

While the projectile flare in accordance with my invention is designedparticularly for maritime use, and has been so specifically described,it will be understood that it is capable of other uses, and Jthat Iclaim it broadly for anypurpose for which it may be used.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A projectile are 0f the type described cornprising a solid projectileadapted to be red from a smooth bore gun, a buoyant are capable ofself-ignition on contact with water, and means for releasably attachingsaid flare to said projectile, including a water soluble adhesivepositioned between contacting surfaces of said projectile and flare.

2. A projectile flare of the type described comprising a solidprojectile adapted to be red from i a smooth bore gun and having arearwardly facing, discontinuous shoulderY formed adjacent Vits forwardend adapted to rest upon the lip of theY gun barrel to support theprojectile, a buoyant flare capable of self-ignition on contact withwater, and means operative to loosely attach said flare to saidprojectile while the projectile is in flight after firing and to releasesaid are fromy Weight substantially less than that of the projectile andwater soluble means operative to attach said flare to said projectilewhile the projectile is in ight after firing and to release said flarefrom said projectile 0n entering into water.

5. A projectile flare of the type described comprising a solidprojectile adapted to be fired from a smooth bore gun and having arearwardly facing shoulder, formed adjacent its forward end adapted torest'upon the lip of the gun barrel to support the projectile, a buoyantflare capable of self-ignition on contact with water, and meansoperative to loosely attach said flare to said projectile, while theprojectile is in flight after ring and to release said flare from theprojectile on nentering the water.

CHARLES H. LU'BY.

REFERENCES CETED The followin references are of record in the g iile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,003,079 Wieser Sept. 12, 1911650,210 l/Vilson May 22, 1900 1,737,424 Linhardt Nov. 26, 1929 314,036Marvin Mar. 17, 1885 1,539,027 Stone May 26, 1925 910,942 McCombie Jan.26, 1909 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 102,699 Great Britain Dec.21, 1916

